Student Voice: [GS] Vietnamese student in Kyoto: friends, life, and Ritsumeikan

Welcome to the Student Voice Series. The series interviews students at our English-medium programs. Once a month, the International Admission Office will release an interview with our students. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University. 

Post by International Admissions Office

Linh from Vietnam

 

I chose RU because I am interested in international issues, as well as studying in Kyoto, Japan. It was my goal of helping underprivileged people in underdeveloped/developing countries that pushed me toward this major. The College of International Relations at Ritsumeikan University, Classes for GS students are held in English, and there are language classes as well. The major content is about international issues, or aspects. After I successfully graduated from RU, I plan to work in Japan in a company where I can get chances to go abroad for work, or internship.

 

 

Can you describe your class choices for next semester?

 

Next semester, I am required to choose my core classes that are important for my graduation thesis. Therefore, I am planning to focus on my chosen theme for the thesis, as well as taking Japanese business classes to prepare for my job hunting.

 

 

 

 

How are the relationships with your supervisor and classmates?

 

My classmates are helpful and cooperative when doing team work together. Having classmates from different cultures and countries makes me realize how small I am within the world, which also pushes me to express myself more and learn from people around.

 

 

 

Have you lived in a university dorm? 

 

Yes, I lived in the Taishogun dormitory. In general, the dormitory is clean, well-equipped and safe. However, there are some cons including not being able to let your friend stay overnight, not having your own kitchen, sometimes others' activities could affect you.

 

Check her vlog about her dorm life

 

 

 

 

How is your life in Japan? Any difficulties when you started a new life here? 

 

I had a lot of difficulties here in the first place since my Japanese was not fluent at first and I did not have any acquaintance in RU. I had difficulties trying to figure out how to handle documents, paying insurance, commuting, making friends.

I am learning a lot about Japan, especially by doing part-time job. It is a wonderful chance for me to use and speak Japanese to natives, and observe Japanese business patterns. Besides, I could make new friends outside of RU at my part-time place.

 

 

 

Tell me your daily life?

 

I used to have a messy and unhealthy schedule: I stayed up until the morning (sometimes to study but mostly surfing the Internet for meaningless purposes) and woke up in the afternoon.

 

But now I am aware of using my time efficiently, I recently rearranged my schedule as follow:

 - wake up early in the morning at 7:00

 - do my homework in the morning since it is the best time of concentration for me

 - have lunch at around 12:00 to 13:00

 - after lunch I will take a break by doing exercises or preparing my dinner

 - at night I study until 11:00 and sleep at 11:30

 

I tend to finish all my work in the daylight since I am most energetic in these time frames, so that I could enjoy entertainment afterwards in the evening. My tip to concentrate and finish work on time is to set my own daily tasks to finish gradually day by day before the deadline.

 

 

 

Message in English

 

A new life in Japan would be exciting at first, then it becomes hard and challenging sometimes, but once you figure out how to deal with it, you will also figure out your abilities and find confidence!